"If I only had heart, love them," added the Tin Woodman

"I always did like flowers," said the Lion "They of seem so helpless and frail But none forest so bright "

They now came upon more and more big scarlet poppies, and fewer and fewer other flowers; and soon they found themselves midst of great meadow of poppies Now well known that when flowers together their odor is so powerful that anyone who breathes it falls asleep, and sleeper carried away scent flowers, he sleeps on and on forever But Dorothy know this, nor could she get away bright red flowers that were everywhere about; so presently her eyes grew heavy and she felt sit down to rest and to sleep

But the Tin Woodman let her

" hurry and get back road of yellow brick before dark," ; Scarecrow agreed So they kept walking until Dorothy could stand no longer Her eyes closed of herself and she forgot where she was and fell poppies, fast asleep

"What shall ? " asked the Tin Woodman

" leave her here she will die," said the Lion "The smell flowers is killing us all I myself can scarcely keep my eyes open, dog is asleep already "

true; Toto had fallen down beside his little mistress But the Scarecrow Tin Woodman, not being made of flesh, troubled scent flowers

"Run fast," said the Scarecrow Lion, "and get out deadly flower bed bring the little girl , but if fall asleep too big carried "

So the Lion aroused himself and bounded forward as fast as go In moment out of sight

" chair hands and carry her," said the Scarecrow So they picked up Toto and put the dog in Dorothy's lap, and then they made chair with their hands seat and their arms arms and carried the sleeping girl flowers

On and on they walked, and it seemed great carpet of deadly flowers that surrounded them would never end They followed the bend river, and at last came upon their friend the Lion, lying fast asleep poppies The flowers too strong huge beast and he had given up at last, and fallen only short distance end poppy bed, where the sweet grass spread in beautiful green fields before them

" do nothing for him," said the Tin Woodman, sadly; "for much too heavy to lift leave him here to sleep on forever, and perhaps dream that he has found courage at last "

"I'm sorry," said the Scarecrow "The Lion was comrade so cowardly But go on "

They carried the sleeping girl to pretty spot beside the river, far enough poppy field her breathing any more poison flowers, and here they laid her gently soft grass and waited fresh breeze to waken her

9 The Queen Field Mice

" far road of yellow brick, now," remarked the Scarecrow, as he stood beside the girl, "for come nearly as far river carried us away "

The Tin Woodman was about to reply when he heard low growl, and turning his head (which worked beautifully on hinges) strange beast come bounding over the grass toward them , indeed, great yellow Wildcat, Woodman thought it chasing something, for its ears were lying close to its head and its mouth was wide open, showing two rows of ugly teeth, while its red eyes glowed like balls of fire As it came nearer the Tin Woodman saw that running beast was little gray field mouse, and although he had no heart wrong Wildcat to kill such pretty, harmless creature

So the Woodman raised his axe, and Wildcat ran by it quick blow that cut the beast's head clean off from its body, and it rolled over at his feet in two pieces

The field mouse, now freed from its enemy, stopped short; and coming slowly Woodman it said, in squeaky little voice:

"Oh, ! ever for saving my life "

"Don't speak of it, I beg of you," replied the Woodman " no heart, , so careful to help all those need friend, even happens only mouse "

"Only mouse ! " cried the little animal, indignantly "Why, Queen--the Queen of all the Field Mice ! "

"Oh, indeed," said the Woodman, making bow

"Therefore you great deed, as brave one, in saving my life," added the Queen

moment several mice were seen running up as fast as their little legs could carry them, and saw their Queen they exclaimed:

"Oh, your Majesty, we thought killed ! How did you manage to escape the great Wildcat ? " They all bowed so low little Queen almost stood upon their heads

"This funny tin man," she answered, "killed the Wildcat and saved my life So hereafter all serve him, and obey his slightest wish "

" ! " cried all the mice, in shrill chorus And then they scampered in all directions, for Toto had awakened sleep, and seeing all these mice around him one bark of delight and jumped right middle group Toto had always loved to chase mice when he lived in Kansas, and no harm

But the Tin Woodman caught the dog arms and held him tight, while mice, "Come back ! Come back ! Toto hurt you "

the Queen Mice stuck her head out from underneath clump of grass and asked, in timid voice, " sure bite us ? "

" let him," said the Woodman; "so be afraid "

One by one the mice came creeping back, and Toto bark again, although he tried Woodman's arms, and bitten him had he not known he of tin Finally biggest mice spoke

" anything do," it asked, "to repay you for saving the life Queen ? "

"Nothing that of," answered the Woodman; but the Scarecrow, who trying , but because his head was stuffed with straw, said, quickly, "Oh, yes; save our friend, the Cowardly Lion, asleep poppy bed "

"A Lion ! " cried the little Queen "Why, eat us all up "

"Oh, no," declared the Scarecrow; "this Lion is coward "

"Really ? " asked the Mouse

" so himself," answered the Scarecrow, "and never hurt anyone our friend to save him I promise that he shall treat you all with kindness "

" ," said the Queen, "we trust you But what shall ? "

"Are there mice which call you Queen willing to obey you ? "

"Oh, yes; thousands," she replied

"Then send all here , and let bring long piece of string "

The Queen turned mice that attended her and told them at once and get all her people they heard her orders they ran away in every direction as fast as possible

"Now," said the Scarecrow Tin Woodman, " go trees riverside and make truck carry the Lion "

So the Woodman went at once trees and began to work; and he soon made truck limbs of trees, he chopped away all the leaves and branches He fastened it together with wooden pegs and made the four wheels out of short pieces of big tree trunk So fast and did he work that the mice began to arrive the truck was all ready

They came from all directions, and there were thousands : big mice and little mice and middle-sized mice; and brought piece of string mouth that Dorothy woke from her long sleep and opened her eyes She was greatly astonished herself lying grass, with thousands of mice standing around and looking at her timidly But the Scarecrow told her about everything, and turning dignified little Mouse, :

"Permit me to introduce her Majesty, the Queen "

Dorothy nodded gravely Queen made curtsy, after which she became quite friendly little girl